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Hypercapnia is a condition in which the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in our blood is increased. Hypercapnia occurs when there is too much carbon dioxide in the air we breathe and when it is produced in our body during metabolic changes. It is taken from the tissues, then goes to the lungs, and thus – when we exhale, we remove it from our body. Interestingly, carbon dioxide is stored mostly in red blood cells.
What are the symptoms of hypercapnia?
About the condition hypercapnia our body informs by symptoms appearing in the nervous and respiratory systems. In the first phase, the person in hypercapnia She is slightly agitated, her breathing is rapid, and she is also experiencing shortness of breath. In a situation where the partial pressure carbon dioxide does not decrease, others may appear symptoms. The patient may experience headaches, dizziness, weakness, hears noise in the ears. Additionally, you can observe conjunctiva redness and intense sweating. The heart rate is also changed, with a frequency of more than 100 beats per minute. If the concentration of carbon dioxide will be very high, there may even be seizures, disturbances in consciousness and respiratory arrest.
How to treat hypercapnia?
It is worth noting that hypercapnia requires treatment in several cases, including: acidosis, impaired consciousness and decreased physical efficiency of the victim. Treatment methods are related to the cause of the occurrence hypercapnia. The main therapies are based on the treatment of the underlying causes of respiratory failure, oxygen therapy, and medications to combat acidosis. If they appear symptoms generated by the central nervous system, additional check-ups are performed, and then appropriate anti-edema medications are prescribed. In a situation where hypercapnia is the result of sleep apnea syndrome, a person who is struggling with it should see a doctor. There are specialist clinics where medics treat sleep disorders.
Respiratory failure and hypercapnia
Respiratory failure causes hypercapniawhich is caused by internal factors. Insufficiency it may result from a permanent or acute disease state. Long-term conditions include emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea syndrome, and asthma attacks. Acute diseases include: massive pneumonia, pneumothorax and pulmonary edema. Therefore, we can infer that the reasons hypercapnia there are situations where gas exchange is limited by inadequate ventilation or the active part of the lungs is reduced.
Carbon dioxide poisoning
We have heard about carbon dioxide poisoningwhich ended more or less drastically. Carbon dioxide poisoning could also be the cause hypercapnia. It is worth being aware of the fact that the concentration of carbon dioxide, which on a closed surface is above 20 percent, first leads to unconsciousness and death within several minutes. If the concentration exceeds 30 percent, death occurs almost instantaneously. When carbon dioxide occurs in increased concentration, admission of oxygen to the lungs is difficult. In addition, it is more difficult to transport oxygen to tissues, and therefore it binds to hemoglobin more than in its normal state. Nevertheless, the bond strength is lower than in contact with carbon monoxide. It is worth knowing that providing a poisoned person with air of a standard composition will quickly restore balance in the body, and thus – hemoglobin unlocks and can transport oxygen again. Unfortunately, if there are time to develop serious complications poisoning, irreversible damage to the central nervous system may occur.
Where can increased levels of carbon dioxide occur?
It is worth being aware of where the concentration is carbon dioxide is elevated. Such information can protect us from damaging our body. Such places include, among others, composters, septic tanks and silos. This is due to the fact that putrefactive processes take place there. Increased concentration carbon dioxide it is also inside containers, tanks and ship holds. It is also worth being cautious in places such as rooms where dry ice is stored. Car repair shops that do not have adequate ventilation can also be a hazard. An obvious place is also a mine where a sudden outburst of gases, including this one, can occur carbon dioxide and methane. It is also worth knowing that this inorganic chemical compound is heavier than the air we breathe, i.e. it accumulates close to the ground. If we want to help the victim, we must remember about our own safety. Even paramedics without oxygen cylinders or any access to clean air can have problems and may pass out themselves. When it comes to acute carbon dioxide poisoning, the injured should be removed from the endangering place, and then put in a safe position or start cardiopulmonary resuscitation.